In April 2016, Atkins, as part of a joint venture with CH2M and SENER, was appointed as the Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) for Phase One of HS2. The EDP is currently working with HS2 and the recently appointed main works civils contractors during their mobilisation and integration. The EDP is providing engineering, planning and environmental services to support HS2 Ltd with the coordination, integration and assurance of engineering and environmental design, planning consents and stakeholder management, environmental and construction management, systems integration and interface management, BIM compliance and other ancillary services across civil engineering, rail system engineering, stations, depots, control systems and architecture. This includes the provision of project engineering and environmental resources to supplement the HS2 team, with subject matter experts supporting the technical assurance and design.
Atkins has been responsible for preparing Hybrid Bill submissions and for supporting the successful Hybrid Bill process, and having won a place on the Professional Services Consultants (PSC) framework for Phase One (London to Birmingham and Staffordshire), secured the lead engineering role in April 2012 for the 90-kilometres long Country South section of HS2 (from the M25 to the Warwickshire border) and the lead environmental role for the 70-kilometres long Country North section (from the Warwickshire border to Handsacre in Staffordshire).
In addition, Atkins developed and has implemented the BIM strategy for HS2, including the development of an e-learning platform to bring all of the supply chain up to the required level of competence. Atkins also developed the route-wide mass haul strategy for Phase One, undertook the route-wide utilities design and coordination for Phase One, and the off-site build design for bridges, viaducts and green (cut and cover) tunnels. In 2014, Atkins led the HS2 Growth Task Force for the Department for Transport to support the city regions in maximising the regional potential of HS2. Atkins continues to work with key stakeholders, ensuring HS2 is fully integrated and enabled, and that development and regeneration is secured. Committed to creating a sustainable skills pipeline, Atkins has supported the formation of learning and training opportunities to optimise the employment and export potential of HS2.